That's Ed. I adopted her over thirteen years ago when I was a senior in college. A friend and I decided to stop by the county animal shelter in small town called Maryville, Missouri where we were going to college. As we walked around the shelter, the volunteer told us the stories of the different animals in the shelter we came upon a large cage with 13 collie / blue heeler puppies. We were told the litter was taken away because the owner had abused the litter. Each had the mainge, malnourished and as it turns out, had rickets in their back legs. We were also told their 'due date' was the next day. Due date at the shelter meant the animal had been at the shelter too long and would be put down. So I decided to take one home even though I was living in the dorms on campus at the time. I was asked if I wanted a male or female, before I could make a decision, this little ball of fur walked up to the door. Ten minutes later we were in the car headed to Walmart to get all the necessary dog stuff for a new puppy.

I should explain how a female dog got a male name. I'm a big Disney fan so I named her Disney, but my roommate didn't think a dog should have the name of a corporation so she get the name of Ed. Now if you are not a Disney fan you may not know that Ed is the stupid heinah in The Lion King, well Ed stuck.

I got lucky I was in a small midwestern town with a towney vet. Knowing Ed was a pound puppy and I was a poor college student, so I got a break on all of the vet visits to get Ed back in good health.

Of course I couldn't take Ed back to the door room so I took her to a friends house who lived off campus. That is where Ed lived for the last month or so of Spring classes and the whole summer while I finished up my senior year. While I was in class, Ed got to play outside with the neighbor kids all day long. I think that is why she always got upset when people didn't come over and play with her because she was so use to it while growing up. One thing Ed loved over almost everything else was to sit outside in the sun and just watch the world go by. I spent about a year after college living at home with the parents and Ed would lay outside in the back yard for hours. The neighbors with small kids would come over and Ed would lay there for the little ones to pet her and give her love. She would show her appreciation by wagging her big fluffy tail.

I met my wife in 1996 while she was going to law school in Des Moines, Iowa. We had only gone on one or two dates and she was feeling sick and staying in her apartment one night and I thought I would try and cheer her up and take Ed over to meet her. No one could resist Ed, she just had the affect on people. I was right, she fell in love with Ed right there. My wife didn't know the story behind the adoption so she thought it was weird I had a collie and not a shepard or a rottie, something more manly.

A few years later, we were living together and decided it was time to bring another furry member into the family. We went to a shelter in Ankeny, Iowa and adopted this cute little black lab, he is named Lienie. The story behind his adoption is pretty interesting, I'll have to post about it later, or maybe my wife will. Yes, if you were wondering, Lienie is named after the beer but we got the spelling wrong.

When we brought the little guy home, Ed wasn't quite sure what to think. I don't think she was happy with us because she liked being the only dog. But as time went on, she grew to love Lienie and protect him just like he was her own puppy. It didn't matter what kind of dog or how much bigger they were, if they picked on Lienie, Ed took care of them for Lienie. Once we were at a family gathering and my wife's uncle brought his 70 or 80 pound lab mix named Chico. Well Chico probably had some rottie in him because he could be mean and aggressive. When we got there he bypassed Ed and went after Lienie thinking Lienie being the male was the alpha. Chico wanted all the dogs to know he was the alpha, that was a mistake on Chico's part. Lienie just likes to play, he isn't into fighting and when Chico got aggressive he let out a cry of I just want to play, why are you pushing me around. Ed heard this from the other side of the yard, shot over and took down this 70 or 80 pound dog and let him know she was the alpha of the backyard. Ever since that first day we brought Lienie home to meet Ed, they have been best buddies for over 11 years.

There are hundreds of other stories about how Ed has touched not just my life, my wife's or our families lives but many others. Those little neighbor kids in Des Moines who played with Ed in the backyard, to this day, still ask about Ed. They say they want a dog just like Ed.

I know everyone who has a pet says this, but Ed really was the greatest dog, pet, friend and companion anyone could ask for.

Why am I posting this? We made the hardest decision a pet owner has to make. We sent Ed to heaven yesterday. For the last year Ed was in almost constant pain with two compressed disks in her back. We tried just about everything the doctors could think of, but when the Minnesota weather turn to sub zero temps, Ed just couldn't handle the cold weather any more. The cold snow was too much on her back paws, and with the compressed disks she had a hard time walking on the snow.

This is the first pet that I have lost. Almost 14 years is a long time to spend with a pet. No pet will ever replace Ed, she touched so many lives. I'm trying to keep my keyboard tear free as I type this, but as I keep going that is getting harder.

I love and miss you Ed, 14 years wasn't long enough. I know you are up in heaven running around, playing with other dogs, someone up there is probably handing out treats. Nadine has a job for you while in heaven. It is your job to help other puppies get adopted. You know how to do it, just sneak up behind them and push them towards the door. I bet that is what happened to you. Your guardian doggie was in they cage with you and when I stopped, they pushed you towards the door. Its a perfect job for you Ed, we know you will do great.

Save a spot for me on the couch Ed, I will be looking for you someday.

I know it is all the rage to get a fufu dog, like a cockapoo or something like that. But there are too many dogs and cats in shelters all over the country with dogs and cats waiting to show that special someone the kind of love Ed has shown me, my wife and our pets for her short 14 years. My life would be forever altered if I hadn't adopted Ed that day in Missouri. My wife jockingly (She says she is jocking but I don't believe it) says Ed is the only reason why we got married.

If you are the type to say your prayers at night, would you mind saying an extra one for Ed? I want her to be safe and happy in heaven.

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